Where to fish on vacation?

[Koz]

It's been years since I've taken the time to go on a real vacation and I'm bound and determined load up my truck and kayak to head somewhere next month (November). Originally I planned to fish a handful of Florida lakes, but after the hurricanes I'm rethinking that. I don't want to be in the way of any cleanup efforts, ramps may be closed, and the lakes may or may not be in good shape.

 

My goal is to make this a bucket list of fishing vacation and I'm planning to be gone anywhere from 8-14 days. So, of these destinations, where would you go?

 

Option 1 - Florida Trip

 

The first stop would be Orange Lake. It's only a five hour drive so I could fish the same day I left. The other lake I definitely want to fish is Toho. Depending upon how things are going I might add Istokpoga and Panasoffkee to the trip.

 

Option 2 - Texas Trip

 

The two definite lakes on my list are Lake Fork and Caddo Lake. I missed out on the Bassmaster Caddo event because of work. Depending upon how things are going I may also fish Toledo Bend and Rayburn. I thought about OH Ivie, but that adds a lot of driving.

 

If I go to Texas I may also enter the Native Watercraft No Limit Big Bass Event on November 16th. I'd get there to have 2-3 days of practice before the event. In this event, all your catches 14" or more count and there's a $1,000 big bass prize each hour. But gong to Texas I lose two days of fishing because it's a 10 hour drive just to get to Caddo.

 

So, among these choices would you choose Florida or Texas?

[MediumMouthBass]

If it were me, id take my kayak down to Florida. Check out the different cities and destinations that make the top vacation spots. Miami towards the end. And more than likely forget to fish until the last few days.

 

But for you, both states have big bass, and hot weather.

Florida is odd, depending on where you are at its either nice or the weather could change at any minute.

Texas is just hot, hotter, hottter, and hottttttter.

 

But the point about the recent hurricanes, and the event with prize money give Texas an advantage.

In all honesty, im a big fan of Florida, and for a vacation i would choose it over anywhere else (other than Vegas maybe).

 

Fishing is a way of life for many of us, but it shouldnt dictate the whole trip, like 90%. The other 10% try finding some places to check out, go to good restaurants, see whats going on for events in those areas. You can only fish so many hours of the day right?

[softwateronly]

I don't know man, sounds like you really can't go wrong.  I've only done one of these recently, I had 4.5 days on lake murval TX in Feb of 21 and needed every one of them to make it happen.  I got my pb twice, so it worked out, but I also got skunked 2 of those days.  Maybe this is helpful.

 

scott

 

 

[geo g]

Every year we all rent a big lake house in north Ga or NC.  The whole family comes together with my son and his family, and my daughter and her family.  5 grandkids all under 7 leaves little time for my fishing.  I am the worm guy changing baits constantly and giving moral support and the snack master.  We always rent a pontoon boat and drag around the pack.  A fun time with lots of laughs.  
 

Any fishing I’ve done is like fishing the moon.  Deep water for me in Florida is10 feet, these waters are 60 feet 20 yards from the dock.   Something foreign to me.  Some of my best times fishing have been with the little guys on these trips!

[Susky River Rat]

The susky! 
 

I would go try and fish that tournament in texas. Might as well kill two birds with one stone. I also have a mind set if I do not get there now I might not ever get there. It’s easy to put it off because it’s further or you just don’t have the time. Make the time and go enjoy it!

[Koz]

7 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

If it were me, id take my kayak down to Florida. Check out the different cities and destinations that make the top vacation spots. Miami towards the end. And more than likely forget to fish until the last few days.

 

But for you, both states have big bass, and hot weather.

Florida is odd, depending on where you are at its either nice or the weather could change at any minute.

Texas is just hot, hotter, hottter, and hottttttter.

 

But the point about the recent hurricanes, and the event with prize money give Texas an advantage.

In all honesty, im a big fan of Florida, and for a vacation i would choose it over anywhere else (other than Vegas maybe).

 

Fishing is a way of life for many of us, but it shouldnt dictate the whole trip, like 90%. The other 10% try finding some places to check out, go to good restaurants, see whats going on for events in those areas. You can only fish so many hours of the day right?

Over the years I have been to Florida a lot and done everything other than fish. Fishing is the sole purpose of my vacation.

 

I’m also making this trip solo and using it as a time to think and decompress. Running a hotel is a 24/7/365 job and it’s stressful as it never ends. With that, I’m deciding whether or not to quit my job and do something else.

[Catt]

Florida or Texas?

IDK 😉

 

As much as I love Texas I would probably pick Florida only because of the driving distance.

[Mike L]

Other than receding high water currently in Central and So Florida lakes the conditions are fine. 
I haven’t heard about any access or ramp issues other than maybe in the panhandle and No Florida. 
I heard that the St Johns River area was hit hard also. 
By the time you leave most if not all should be good. 
But I’d confirm all that first. 
 

I fished a tournament on Istopoka Saturday. First place weighed 17.5 with 1/2 the field a lot less. 

 

 

 

Mike

[Susky River Rat]

2 hours ago, Koz said:

With that, I’m deciding whether or not to quit my job and do something else.

I can promise you welding is not a good choice. 

[SC53]

Like @Catt said, based on drive time, I would probably lean towards Florida too.

As for conditions, like @Mike L stated, most lakes are ok except for in central and western Florida.
I live on the St. John’s River and all ramps are closed from Harney to George until the river comes down. With the high water and honking current, it would be a waste of time anyway. 
The ramps on John’s Lake and the Clermont chain are closed.  Harris Chains are open. Apopka is open but water is so high you can’t back your trailer far enough for the boat to come off the trailer. Plus the trailer parking area was closed due to a downed tree.

Headwaters and Stick Marsh are open. Kissimmee is probably open as well.

Toho probably is too, at least one of the ramps. Lakes to the south would probably be open as well.

But these ramp closures may not affect you as much as you have the ability to launch your kayak without a ramp.

As it gets closer, contact me and I’ll let you know what I can about what’s open and not. 

[Koz]

1 hour ago, Susky River Rat said:

I can promise you welding is not a good choice. 

But you can make bank as a good welder.

 

I’m tired of running hotels at the property level. That, and when I took over this hotel in early 2021 we were supposed to completely renovate by the end of 2022 and we’re not even close to that. This property should be a gem, but it’s not.

 

I’m looking for a Regional VP position instead. That would mean no more 24 hour work days and having to work 7 days a week. I wish I had the money to retire.

[A-Jay]

 

Wake up to great coffee brought right to your room.

Go be served breakfast.

Go catch giant bass while enjoying gorgeous scenery and warm sub-tropical weather.

Come back to be served lunch.

Take a short nap.

Go fishing until sunset.

Come back eat a great meal.

Go to sleep.

Get up and do it all again - 

for 5-7 straight days.

Oh, and your guide does it ALL.

Now THAT'S a fishing vacation. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

[islandbass]

@Koz: If you’re going to go on vacation, it’s time to go to Mexico and hit one of those lakes know for big bass. Now that would be a vacation, lol. 😂 

 

But given your choices, I think I’d pick Texas this time around for the same reasons you’ve already deduced. 

[Koz]

36 minutes ago, islandbass said:

@Koz: If you’re going to go on vacation, it’s time to go to Mexico and hit one of those lakes know for big bass. Now that would be a vacation, lol. 😂 

 

But given your choices, I think I’d pick Texas this time around for the same reasons you’ve already deduced. 

Knowing my luck one of the cartels would get me. No thanks. I’ll stay stateside.

[Swamp Girl]

Ask @Zcoker if you can night fish the Everglades with him.

 

 

[thediscochef]

I'm biased but I'd tell you to come to Texas. It's a good time of year to be here. You could fish anywhere and have a solid chance at a giant 

[Pat Brown]

TX/FLA/GA/AL/MS/NC/SC/TN

 

Hard to go wrong with any of the prime fisheries in any of these fantastic states.

 

I'd personally go for Florida - best chances at good fishing weather year round I'd wager and MANY small ponds and ditches loaded with trophies.

[Rockhopper]

Hard to beat a road trip to the upper middle northwest for fishing and scenery.  But you have to think beyond bass.  I'm talking Yellowstone and west to the east side of Washington state.  Not really any snow yet either.  And the fish are getting fattened up for the winter.

[Koz]

50 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

TX/FLA/GA/AL/MS/NC/SC/TN

 

Hard to go wrong with any of the prime fisheries in any of these fantastic states.

 

I'd personally go for Florida - best chances at good fishing weather year round I'd wager and MANY small ponds and ditches loaded with trophies.

I live in GA and I’ve fished almost all of the larger lakes and a lot of the PFA’s. Spotted bass have taken over most of the bigger lakes.

 

Between formerly living in SC and fishing tournaments of fished all of the major SC lakes as well.

 

On this trip I’m not looking for good fishing- I’m looking for giants. 

[Pat Brown]

6 minutes ago, Koz said:

I live in GA and I’ve fished almost all of the larger lakes and a lot of the PFA’s. Spotted bass have taken over most of the bigger lakes.

 

Between formerly living in SC and fishing tournaments of fished all of the major SC lakes as well.

 

On this trip I’m not looking for good fishing- I’m looking for giants. 

 

 

I mean Texas and paying a guide would be like the only ways to guarantee that and still wouldn't be a guarantee.

 

I feel pretty confident there's giant bass in all those states to be caught!

[WRB]

Suggest staying with your original plan to go to Florida. The weather is more predicable, more good smaller kayak water to fish closer together, plus it’s pre spawn.

Texas the windshield time will reduce your fishing time and the weather is less predicable for kayak fishing.

Your goal seems to be quality time to enjoy fishing, less driving is less stress.

Enjoy,

Tom

[king fisher]

Which ever State you choose, the Bait Monkey wanted me to remind you to buy new rods, reels, line and lures for such an epic trip.  You will also want to buy new gear on your trip to bring back home. 

[Fishingmickey]

I with WRB, even with me living and fishing in Texas. Finding the ++sized bass can be hard to do. I think for numbers of places to go Florida might be best.  The canals and the Everglades besides those premier destination lakes are fairly close together compared to Texas. The driving also will cause you to lose a couple of days of fishing.

Good luck and post pic's!

Fishingmickey

[Functional]

I'd go to Texas if you dont think you can get a stretch of time like this for a while after a job/career change. Not ideal but you could probably hit the FL spots over a few long weekends. TX is more ideal for a longer stay like you currently have. If time off isnt going to be a problem either way flip a coin....TX has the tournament but FL has peacocks if you want a fun day thrown in there. 

 

Sometimes I do some good thinking on long solo road trips. Both my decisions for getting married and being open to kids were done on long solo trips.  Something you sound like you might want given your situation. 

[Koz]

4 hours ago, king fisher said:

Which ever State you choose, the Bait Monkey wanted me to remind you to buy new rods, reels, line and lures for such an epic trip.  You will also want to buy new gear on your trip to bring back home. 

Already done. My new Cashion FFS spinning rod, Daiwa Procyon AL LT, and a bunch of soft plastics are already on the way!

5 hours ago, Pat Brown said:

 

 

I mean Texas and paying a guide would be like the only ways to guarantee that and still wouldn't be a guarantee.

 

I feel pretty confident there's giant bass in all those states to be caught!

While a guide would definitely be a help and I’d catch more fish, my goal is quiet time and some self care.

 

In my job I constantly deal with people. That’s part of why the slow pace and isolation of kayak fishing appeals to me.